The BEST episodes of Steptoe and Son season 6

Every episode of Steptoe and Son season 6, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Steptoe and Son season 6!

After creating the supreme comedy that was Hancock's Half Hour, many wondered where else writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson could go when the eponymous Mr H dispensed with their services. Their answer was another sitcom tour-de-force, Steptoe & Son. Steptoe was born from a one-off comic play, "The Offer" commissioned by the BBC in 1962 as part of Comedy Playhouse, a series of short plays all written by Galton and Simpson. From the outset it broke the mould of British comedy. Where previous sitcoms relied on slapstick, gags and farce, Steptoe and Son introduced a note of gritty realism: its characters were resolutely working-class, down-at-heel rag-and-bone men scraping a living by spotting gems among other people's junk. Father and son used earthy language and swore like troopers (at least as much as the BBC would allow them to) and both were given an added reality by being played by "straight" actors (Wilfred Brambell and Harry H Corbett) rather than comedians. Where other comedies revolved around interfering mothers-in-law and the sudden failure of the hero's braces the moment his boss came round, Steptoe's focus was on the inter-generational conflict that marked out the 60s. While father Albert Steptoe was - as his son often reminded him - a "dirty old man", set in his grimy and grasping ways, middle-aged son Harold was filled with social aspirations, not to say pretensions. Many episodes saw Harold attempting to attract a posh "bird" (this was still the sixties and early seventies) with his literary erudition, love of classical music or amateur dramatic skills, only to have a single leer from his gargoyle-like dad put the kybosh on the whole affair. Despite the advantage of Harold's relative youth, the audience always knew who was master in the Steptoe household. Albert, convinced his work in years (long) gone by entitled him to live off his son's hard graft, used every weapon from blood-curdling threats to pathetic wheedling to kee

Last Updated: 9/22/2024Network: BBC OneStatus: Ended
Cuckoo in the Nest
star
8.11
18 votes

#1 - Cuckoo in the Nest

Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/21/1970

Albert's long-lost son Arthur arrives from Australia, and much to Harold's horror, Albert offers him a partnership in their business.

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Without Prejudice
star
8.08
13 votes

#2 - Without Prejudice

Season 6 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/30/1970

When the Steptoes plan move to a posh neighbourhood, the snotty locals don't like the look of them.

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Come Dancing
star
8.06
18 votes

#3 - Come Dancing

Season 6 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/9/1970

To prepare Harold for a competition, Albert must teach him how to dance.

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Robbery with Violence
star
8.00
13 votes

#4 - Robbery with Violence

Season 6 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/2/1970

While cleaning the house, Albert knocks over Harold's porcelain cabinet and destroys his valuable collection.

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The Three Feathers
star
8.00
14 votes

#5 - The Three Feathers

Season 6 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/14/1970

When Harold buys a 19th-century commode, he falls victim to a scam operation.

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Two's Company
star
7.85
13 votes

#6 - Two's Company

Season 6 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/16/1970

Harold is shocked when he meets Albert's new fiancée.

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Pot Black
star
7.79
14 votes

#7 - Pot Black

Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/7/1970

Harold buys a second-hand snooker table and challenges Albert to some games.

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Tea for Two
star
7.75
12 votes

#8 - Tea for Two

Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/23/1970

Albert has a chance to host the prime minister at the junk yard, but Harold is of a different political persuasion.

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